SIUE faculty association ratifies new contract

BRUCE DARNELL managing editor

After a year-long battle with the university, the SIUE faculty union was finally able to ratify a new contract. A tentative agreement was reached on June 13 and the contract was ratified on June 25.

The contract was agreed upon by 92 percent of the union’s membership, and will remain in effect for the next three years.

The approved contract covers a variety of issues, including tenure, office hours and pay. While not every issue was resolved, a majority of the union still supported the new contract, even if some of the union members didn’t receive all they wanted.

This ratification also marks the last major action of Ed Navarre as president of the SIUE Faculty Association. Succeeding Navarre as president is Megan

Robb, program director for art therapy at SIUE.

Many unions on campus are still without a contract after a year of negotiation, such as the clerical workers (AFSCME Local 2887) and building service workers (AFSCME Local 2232). The clerical workers were recently kicked out of the MUC in anticipation of a protest.

Navarre said the faculty association would remain in solidarity with the other unions as they attempt to get their contracts ratified, which could continue into the fall semester.

The building service workers have sought out federal mediation for their contract negotiations, and are waiting for Chancellor Minor to show for their negotiations.

Some unions ratified contracts months ago, such as the food service workers, who got a new contract at the beginning of the Spring semester.

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